OLNEY, Ill. – The Vincennes University Women’s Basketball Team knocked down 27-of-29 free throws and hit seven 3-pointers Saturday to power the Trailblazers to a 78-68 win at Olney Central.

Sophomore Zhanna Chukhrii had 21 points, freshmen Ashley Hawkins and Chelsea Jellison had 19 each and freshman Shelby Parmer finished with 11 points. Jellison drilled five of the VU treys.

The Trailblazers got out to leads as large as nine points before settling on a 38-35 lead at halftime. After the break, VU stretched the lead to 53-42 near the 13:30 mark in the game. Olney Central was never able to get closer than seven the rest of the way as the Trailblazers used a 15-8 scoring advantage over a five-minute period to keep the lead near the 10-point mark.

VU will host Lincoln Trail Wednesday. The 5:30 p.m. game at the VU P.E. Complex precedes the VU men facing Lincoln Trail at 7:30 p.m.

In partnership with The Kay Yow Cancer Fund, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and The V Foundation, VU will donate admission from that evening’s crowd to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

Yow passed away from stage 4 breast cancer in early 2009. She coached the North Carolina State women’s basketball program from 1975 until shortly before her death. During her more than three decades on the sidelines for the Wolfpack, Yow earned induction into the Naismith Hall of Fame with more than 650 of her 700-plus career wins.

The nationwide Play 4 Kay program is an opportunity for coaches to raise breast cancer awareness and research funds on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. Since its inception in 2007, the Play 4 Kay initiative has generated more than $2 million for the cause.

A variety of activities and items will be raising funds leading up to and during Wednesday’s games. In addition to accepting donations and pledges in the days before the Play for Kay event and a silent auction that evening, the VU Athletic Department will be selling T-shirts with the Play 4 Kay logo for $10, Proceeds from that evening’s 50/50 drawing will also be donated to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

A much anticipated fund-raising project is VU Women’s Basketball Coach Harry Meeks’ promise to allow his hair cut into an extremely short “buzz cut” if the VU Athletic Department can secure a donations of $100 from10 people or $50 from 20 people. If Coach Meeks’ promise yields $1,000, he will say goodbye to most of his hair at halftime of the men’s game.

As a fun activity for supporters of Play 4 Kay, VU will conduct relay races at halftime of both games on Feb. 13. During the Trailblazer women’s game, VU students in teams of four will be racing, while elementary or middle school students will compete during the men’s game. Prizes will be awarded for all winners. VU students may sign up for races in advance the Athletic Office or at the time of arrival on game night.

Another enjoyable VU student activity during Wednesday’s games is a residence hall wing challenge. The Trailblazers encourage all students living on-campus to get EVERYONE on their residence hall wing dress in pink and to the games because the two wings with the most residents signed in at the games will get free food from Papa John’s Pizza and Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches.